Get Your Kiddos Moving at Stage Door Dance

Kids like to move! In fact, according to the American Public Health Association “Toddler dance moves help develop motor skills, balance and coordination.” These are benefits that continue throughout life that help individuals maintain flexibility, strength, and balance according to APHA.

Patti Weinberg — Stage Door Dance owner

Since 1997, Stage Door Dance in Encinitas has been a North County studio committed to teaching dance to kids — toddlers to teens. Stage Door owner, Patti Weinberg, is a North County Mom who is dedicated to contributing to your child’s development, offering tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical and hip hop instruction at her familiar studio on El Camino Real. With an extensive background in dance and musical theater, Patti is well versed in the art of performance. Her professional history enables her to teach kids about commitment and learning self-discipline as they develop skill in the art of movement.

I had a chance to ask Patti a few questions about Stage Door Dance and her life in North County. I invite you to take a few minutes to read our interview and learn more about this unique North County Mom and longstanding business owner.

María: Tell us about your background in dance. When did you begin your journey in dance and who influenced you?

Patti: I started dancing at the age of 5. My teachers were really who always inspired me.

María: What’s your favorite style of dance?

Patti: I am a Musical Theater gal. I love Jazz and Tap the most.

María: Did you/do you perform professionally?

Patti: I used to perform professionally in Musical Theater. I do not perform any longer.

About Stage Door Dance

María: Tell us a little about Stage Door Dance & Performing Arts Workshop.

Patti: I opened up Stage Door in 1997; [It’s my] one and only studio. Have been in the same location the whole time, but opened up a second studio/room about 10 years ago. We currently have 430 students. We primarily teach ages 18 months – 18 years.

María: Tell us a bit about the instructors who teach at Stage Door Dance.

Patti: We currently have eight teachers and three student teachers. Two of my instructors have been with us for almost the whole time we have been open!

María: Is there a particular style of dance that your students prefer and what do you offer at Stage Door?

Patti: Our dancers tend to want to do it all! Ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop [which we offer]. Jazz and ballet probably being the favorites. [Plus we have] Mommy and me classes and combo classes.

María: Do you have regular recitals?

Patti: Yes, we do an annual Holiday Show, as well as a Nutcracker and a Spring Recital, [which we perform at] a couple of different theaters in North County.

María: Speaking of the Spring Recital, please share a little bit about the Daddy-Daughter Dance.

Patti: We do a Daddy-Daughter Dance at our Spring Recital. It is wonderful chance for dancers and their Dads (or other adult) to spend some time together and experience the magic of being on stage. They share bonding time rehearsing together for the big day.

María: Please tell us about your student helpers. Sounds like a smart idea to encourage young dancers!

Patti: We have a program called Student Ambassadors. They train over the summer to volunteer as teacher assistants or follow our administrative track, and learn a bit about how a studio is run. We have a few different levels that they progress through and are able to become a student teacher by the end of their training.

María: Wow! The Student Ambassadors’ program sounds like a fun opportunity! Now tell us about your Raising the Barre program.

Patti: It is a community service group. We do different events throughout the dance season to either raise money or goods for charity, or raise money to be added to the groups’ scholarship fund. They do things like, food drives and old costume drives. They plan and host parent night outs, our traveling Nutcracker, as well as our “so you think you can choreograph” night. When we have graduating seniors in the group they will receive funds from the scholarship fund they have raised. They lead the group themselves with an advisor.

María: I love the innovative programs that your dance students can participate in — as a Student Ambassador, through Raising the Barre, and getting dads involved in the Spring Recital, not to mention the other performance opportunities outlined on the Stage Door Dance website.

María: How do parents sign up their kids for a free trial class, and what can they expect out of their first dance class?

Patti: They can book through the online form our website or give us a call. They can expect to get right into a class and see if it is a good fit with their instructor and if the class level is appropriate.

María: You offer so many awesome opportunities. No wonder you’ve enjoyed nearly three decades in the community as a well-loved dance studio!

Share a little about your dance philosophy

María: Do you feel that aspiring dancers should have a foundation in ballet before pursuing other styles of dance? If so, why?

Patti: Ballet is the foundation of dance! Therefore, very important for most styles of dance. Styles like Hip Hop do not really need a ballet foundation. We encourage all of our dancers to take ballet to help reach their goal in other styles. Even if they started with another style first, ballet is the key to getting better.

María: How often should kids take lessons?

Patti: It is really up to their schedule and goals for dance. We encourage twice a week, but if they have bigger ballet goals in mind, such as going on pointe, they will need to take more. The more often they dance, the better they will get.

María: Generally, how long does it take for young dancers to progress to intermediate and advanced levels?

Patti: That’s a hard one. Everyone is so different.

María: What are some suggestions for parents of timid children who would like their kids to explore dance classes?

Patti: Every child is very different and the approach is different for different ages. Be patient, even if you think they are not participating or learning, you might be surprised what they learned just by watching. Mostly trust that the teacher has your dancers best interest at heart. Give the teacher the opportunity to be the leader in the dance room, while mom steps back a bit. Give your dancer the opportunity to explore dance at their own pace.

María: For teenage girls who want to pursue dance as a profession, what are your suggestions?

Patti: Stay in class, keep learning and perfecting your skill. Explore every opportunity to perform or even audition. Keep a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

Advice for moms who want to dance (or return to dance)

María: I danced (ballet, jazz, and tap) as a girl and stopped soon after I graduated to toe shoes. I loved getting to that point (pointe 😉 ) and to this day wish I would have continued dancing. For moms like me who may be interested in resuming dance lessons in their adult years, what are some suggestions to get back in the dance studio?

Patti: Don’t over do it, and go at your own pace, but just go for it! Life is short and dance is so healing and feels good for your soul. Whether your interest is a ballet class, ballroom, salsa, dance exercise, or even at a live music event, don’t worry about what others will think or how you will look. Do it for yourself!

Patti — The North County Mom

María: Where are you from and what brought you to San Diego?

Patti: I am from Temple City, CA. I moved to San Diego about 30 years ago to pursue a relationship. Relationship with guy didn’t stick, but San Diego did!

María: Tell us a little about your family and life as a single mom.

Patti: Yes, I have two amazing sons, 17 and 13 years old. I am a very busy, single mom of two boys, with a house full of pets: two Dogs, a cat, two birds and fish! I have been divorced for almost three years, so life at home has changed over the years. Life is very busy trying to keep family, work and personal life in perspective.